When Fear Creeps In

Based on your level of fear and/or anxiety, how would you rank these examples: 1) you are mowing your lawn and all of a sudden a snake slithers by your feet. 2) you get to the movie theater after dinner on a your first date, and your ‘potential’ boyfriend/girlfriend only wants to see a horror film. 3) you are cruising along on your vacation out of state, and to your surprise, the car stalls on the interstate because it ran out of gasoline. In terms of being afraid of the unknown, I would personally rank these examples 1) running out of gasoline, 2) sitting through an uncomfortable horror film, and 3) seeing a snake. Regardless of the example, we face fearful situations every single day. Lately, I have been more consumed with thoughts of the ‘unknown’ and being afraid of what could or could not happen. So, I have been taking some time to read, listen, and learn more about fear.    

In the past month it has been a challenge to find a good ‘chunk’ of time to put all my thoughts into words. Today, it seemed as if everything ‘made sense’ and I had time to write. One of my favorite messages from Pastor Todd was on the topic of ‘waiting;’ and can you guess what day he talked about this? September 23 – our anniversary. Cole and I just looked at each other and smiled when Todd started talking; it was as if God wanted us to SPECIFICALLY hear MORE about how to wait properly for what our hearts desire. My favorite line from Todd that day was “we should prayerfully and carefully do what we KNOW; while we wait for what we don’t know.” As I sat there in the padded chair, I started to tear up as I thought about the truths that have been set before me: Jesus died for my sins, He loves me more than anyone else ever can or will, and THIS love and relationship with Him is what I KNOW is true. Ephesians 1:11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes EVERYTHING work out according to his plan.  As Cole and I further discussed this we brought up the facts that God does have our best in mind, and He will work out everything for His good and in His time. The bible talks about God working out ALL things for us in several places. Why then, do I still doubt His goodness from time to time?

When I get caught up in the fear of the unknown, my thoughts begin to be clouded over in doubt and fear. For example, I fear that God will not allow us to hold a healthy baby of our own; I fear that I am not living up to the example of a Godly wife; I fear that I am not a ‘good enough’ teacher for my students. What are your more consistent fears or doubts? What would happen if we lived an entire day without fear, doubt, insecurity, or anxiety? It is possible to balance these emotions and it starts with truth. I found Max Lucado’s podcast, ‘Fearless’ to be very beneficial. Max said that in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – Jesus commands us 20 times on the topic of not being afraid: do not worry, but have courage and be of good cheer.

I have found the following verses to be helpful, and wanted to share how they speak to me about fear, worry, courage, God’s love, and faithfulness. I hope that at least one of these verses encourages your heart wherever you are today.

Psalm 112:7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

I do not need to be afraid of bad news, but keep trusting that whatever God allows to happen MUST go through His hands before it gets down to me.

 

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

This is one of my all-time favorite verses, which I read often. When I think of this verse, I have memories of the movie, “Honey I Shrunk the Kids.” I like to picture myself as a tiny person standing in the strong hand of God. No lawn mower will ever be able to ‘mow’ me overJ

 

Matthew 6:25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

When I get stuck in the rut of ‘stinking thinking,’ how is this benefiting my health? If God is taking care of the birds, he certainly will take care of all of my needs.

 

Matthew 8:26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”
Mark 4:40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Matthew 17:20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Like the disciples in the storm crying out to Jesus, why do I doubt that He will not provide for me? When I am in a ‘doubtful mood’ I am not acknowledging the faith that God has instilled within me. With Him by my side, anything in life is a possibility.

 

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Halleluiah! Jesus already died for my sins and the sins of the world: this should be enough to enCOURAGE me daily.

 

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

There is no reason to worry about life or circumstances. Worry will only snowball into other health issues. The best thing for me to do is talk to God and pray to Him about it. The second best thing I can do is talk and pray with friends and family. If you are one of these people: THANK YOU for your constant love, support, and prayers.

 

Romans 8:36,38-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Being CONVINCED about a topic is the opposite of being doubtful about a topic. I am 100% certain that God loves me with all of His heart. I am confident that His love is the only love that will remain constant and true no matter what happens to me here on earth.  

 

In closing, I would like to leave you with one of my favorite songs: Mighty to Save by Hillsong United. Every time I sing it I get goose bumps and/or tear up. The lyrics especially encourage me that God’s power is alive and real. There is no reason for me to fear the ‘unknown.’ God assures us he CAN move mountains. Now, the JOY comes in waiting and watching the mountains in your life MOVEJ  

 

Mighty to Save: Hillsong United

Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

(Chorus:)
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
He rose & conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears & failures
Fill my life again

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender (I surrender)
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/h/hillsong_united/mighty_to_save.html ]
(Chorus:) (2x)
Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
He rose & conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

(Bridge:) (2x)
Shine Your light &
Let the whole world see
We're singing
For the glory
Of the risen King
Jesus

(Chorus)
You're the Savior
You can move the mountains
Lord You are mighty to save
You are mighty to save
Forever
Author of Salvation
You rose & conquered the grave
Yes You conquered the grave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5ghKwGEQRA